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MISSION STATEMENT To provide outstanding parks, services, facilities and recreation programs that enrich lives, promote healthy living and inspire memorable experiences.

PARK DISTRICT PHILOSOPHY The Park Board recognizes the need to provide and maintain sufficient and attractive parks, open space, recreation facilities and programs to serve equitably, and without prejudice, all the people of the Park District in the provision of leisure time activities. Every opportunity shall be afforded, within financial limits, to plan, procure, develop and maintain park and recreation resources, and to provide leadership for the wholesome and constructive use of leisure time. The provisions of quality recreational services in the most efficient manner, at the least possible cost, and without significantly duplicating the efforts of other agencies, will be emphasized at all times. This includes the development of cooperative agreements with other agencies directly and indirectly involved with leisure services in the District. The provision of recreation, park and conservation services must be considered as a positive opportunity for people of the District to share with each other, to develop leadership capacities, to learn skills for present and future enjoyment, and to emphasize responsibilities to each other as well as to the community.

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR Please respect the rights and property of neighbors of our parks. Use public sidewalks/pathways. Drive carefully in lots, driveways and nearby streets. Trees, bushes, fences, etc., should not be used as bathrooms. Keep your dog on a leash, remain on public property, clean up pet waste, and place trash in park receptacles. To report vandalism, call 847-945-8636. PROGRAM/PARTICIPANT CONDUCT The Deerfield Park District reserves the right to suspend, expel or deny participation in any program or facility to any person whose behavior materially interferes or disrupts the quality of those offerings, the enjoyment of them by other participants or the ability of staff to conduct or manage the activities or facilities. A child’s parent or guardian will be notified of the first incident; the second incident shall require the presence of a parent at a meeting with the instructor and a Park District administrator/supervisor; a third incident may result in the expulsion or suspension of the child from the program, event or facility. If a child engages in behavior(s) which may result in bodily harm to others, an immediate meeting with the parent may be called. If such behavior warrants it, immediate suspension or expulsion may result. Temporary suspension from participation due to misconduct will not entitle participant to a refund. An adult shall receive one verbal or written warning. The second incident may result in suspension from the program, event or facility. If an adult physically strikes a person or object or throws an object at another person, or takes any other action that may pose a real threat of bodily harm to others, or is verbally abusive to others, s/he may immediately be suspended or expelled from the program or facility.

KEEPING OUR PARKS BEAUTIFUL To provide safe, healthy and aesthetically pleasing parks, we engage in the limited use of lawn care products as part of an integrated pest management program. A one-time annual application of herbicide to park and school sites is usually completed between Aug. 15 – Nov. 1 of each year. We publicize the date of the application and inform the appropriate school sites and residents who have asked to be advised of this process.

Due to the ongoing uncertainty and federal, state and local enforcements, all information in this brochure is subject to change. Thank you for your understanding.

PHOTO PERMISSION Our staff or designees often take pictures or video at programs and events for: brochures and other marketing materials; website; and other print, electronic and online publicity. Most people are delighted to see pictures of themselves or their family members in our publicity. Photographers from print or other media outlets may also take pictures or video on occasion. We welcome the coverage and hope you do too; it is frequently how the public learns what is happening at the Park District. We cannot guarantee that a photo taken will be used or not be used, nor promise that it will only be used in certain circumstances. If you prefer your family members’ pictures not be taken, please notify us in writing. NOTE: If you do see a photo posted to our website, Facebook page, or other Park District site of you or your family member that you would like removed, just request the photo to be taken down by commenting on the picture or by emailing Sherry@deerfieldparks.org. For questions or more information, you may also call our Communications Manager at 847-945-0650.

INSURANCE Deerfield Park District cannot assume responsibility for injuries or accidents occurring at programs, activities, parks and facilities within our jurisdiction. To do so would make our program and user fees prohibitive. Certain activities, facilities and equipment may, when used improperly, cause harm or personal injury. We make every effort to notify you of potentially dangerous situations and to provide rules for the proper use of equipment and facilities. You can avoid injury by following the rules, using good sense and being considerate of both Park District property and others using it.

THORGUARD ThorGuard Lightning Prediction Systems are installed at all parks, pools and schools in Deerfield, from April through November. Horns are tested the first Tuesday of each of these months, at 10 AM. Should you hear the horn or see the strobe light at other times—or any time lightning seems possible—be sure to seek shelter. The system is meant to warn the public that conditions are right for possible lightning danger. This system is not 100 percent accurate, as it operates on radio waves which are variable. As not every unit will go off simultaneously, the public is asked to please use common sense when conditions appear threatening, even if ThorGuard warnings are not heard or seen. Follow these warnings for safety: • One prolonged horn blast signifies a strong lightning risk. • The strobe light signals a continuing lightning alert condition. • Three short horn blasts (and ceasing of strobe light illumination) signal it may be safe to return to the area, but use discretion. INFECTIOUS DISEASES, FOOD ALLERGIES, MEDICATION, ILLNESS Infectious Diseases: To prevent the spread of communicable diseases, such as strep, pink eye and fifth’s disease, parents should report any diagnosed cases to the Park District office. If exposure to other participants occurred, a notification is sent home. Food Allergies: Many of our preschool, as well as cooking and other classes, will serve food; therefore, it is imperative that you notify the full-time Recreation Supervisor of any food allergies or dietary restrictions your child may have. Medication: If your child requires medication (inhaler, epi-pen, etc.) during class, medication administration forms must be completed. Please call our registration office (847-945-0650) for details. Illness: Please do not attend class nor send children who are ill to class.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT Our Park District and other public recreation programs and services agencies are subject to the provisions for children, teens and adults with of the Americans with Disabilities Act disabilities. NSSRA offers recreation, (ADA) which prohibits discrimination sport, cultural and social programs and in the services, programs or facilities events available throughout the year, provided to individuals with disabilities. creating new experiences, opportunities If you believe that, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, special assistance may be required when participating in a program, using a facility or receiving a service, please call Laura McCarty, Director of Recreation at 847-572-2615. for skill development, leisure time, and perhaps most importantly, friendship. NSSRA has been creating an environment of belonging through play since 1970, and has the distinction of being the first Special Recreation Association in the country. We believe that everyone should have Services for Residents with Disabilities the chance to try something new. This Deerfield Park District is a partner with means you have the opportunity to Northern Suburban Special Recreation participate in any one of NSSRA’s 500 Association (NSSRA). Formed in 1970, annual programs, or that you have the NSSRA is an extension of ten park opportunity to participate in one of the districts, two cities and one village in Deerfield Park District programs with the northern suburbs of Chicago and the assistance of an NSSRA Inclusion provides and facilitates year-round companion. INCLUSION SERVICES Deerfield Park District program Inclusion services are available to residents with special needs at no additional cost to the family. Inclusion services may include, when necessary, staff training, program modifications/adaptations, modified equipment and program observations.

Reasons to Request Inclusion Services

• A parent or family member recognizes that a participant would benefit from additional support in a Deerfield Park District program. • Deerfield Park District staff identifies a need for additional support, for safety and programmatic reasons, and communicates this need to the family.

Requesting Inclusion Services

When registering for a Deerfield Park District program for the first time: • Mark the accommodation Section of the registration form to indicate that the participant will require assistance from NSSRA. • Once your registration form is submitted, the

Deerfield Park District will contact you to discuss the type of Inclusion support needed for the participant. • The Deerfield Park District will provide NSSRA with an Inclusion request that contains both program and participant information. • You will be contacted by NSSRA to discuss the needs of the participant and get input on the type of support required. • NSSRA will work with the Deerfield Park District to put the necessary Inclusion accommodations in place for participation in the desired program(s). • Communication between you, NSSRA, and Deerfield

Park District staff continues throughout the

Inclusion process.

For more information regarding Deerfield Park District Inclusion services contact:

Laura McCarty, Director of Recreation Deerfield Park District • 847-572-2615 laura@deerfieldparks.org Meggan Davies, Recreation Manager for Inclusion NSSRA 847-509-9400 x6828 • mdavies@nssra.org For more information about Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) go to nssra.org. 847-945-0650 | 51